Category Archives: Japanese Culture

美食, 観光, 魚海の幸, Fashion, Fish, Food, Food Humor, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese fashion, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, sushi, Tourism

Japanese Gastronomic Fashion: Sushi Socks!

October 3, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I dicovered these Japanes-style socks yesterday in a small department store in Numazu City and I just couldn’t help buying them at once!

The big toe being independent these socks are actually very comfortable and can be worn inside shoes or sandals of any type!

Now, what sushi do they represent?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Shop with Intent by Debbie
BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Sake Kegs at Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City

October 2, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

One noticeable difference between Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines (Shinto is the native religion) in Japan is that shrines exhibit the empty kegs of sake offered by believers (the original meaning of “Sake” is “food of the gods”) whereas Buddhist Temples don’t.

Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City which is one of the most important in the Prefecture does exhibit quite a few.
Not all are sake made inside Shizuoka Prefecture, though.
At least investigating the one produced inside Shizuoka Prefecture provide quite a few insights!
Therefore it will be a pleasure to help you discover them!

“Kaiun/開運” is the brand name of the sake produced by Doi Brewery/土井酒造 in Kakegawa City/掛川市 in central-western Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Garyuubai/臥龍梅” is the brand name of Sanwa Brewery/三和酒造 in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City/清水区静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Aoitenka/葵天下” is the brand name of the sake produced by Yamanaka Brewery/山中酒造 in Kakegawa City/掛川市 in central western shizuoka Prefecture.

“Hana No Mai/花の舞” is the brand name of Hana No Mai Brewery/花の舞酒造 in Hamamatsu City/浜松市 in western Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Senju/千寿” is the brand name of Senju Brewery/千寿酒造” in Iwata City/磐田市 in western Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Kumpai/君盃” is the brand name of Kumpai Brewery/君盃酒造” in Shizuoka City/静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Haginishiki/萩錦” is the brand name of Haginishiki Brewery/萩錦酒造 in Shizuoka City/静岡市 in Central Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Takasago/高砂” is the brand name of Fuji-Takasago Brewery/藤高砂酒造 in Fujinomiya City/富士宮市in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture.

Now, this keg belonged to a defunct brewery!
“Chuumasa/忠正” was the brand name of Yoshiya Brewery/吉屋酒造 in Shizuoka City/静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.
Their license was bought some two years ago by a new brewery called Suruga Brewery/駿河酒造 also in Shizuoka City. As for the Chuumasa brand name it is still used by Suruga Brewery.

As for this brewery, there are a lot questions marks left! (would you believe that one of my Japanese-side relatives is actually working there!)
“Kihei/喜平” is the brand name of Hikari Brewery/平喜酒造 in shizuoka City/静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.
Now, Hiraki Company which originally (and still is) a liqueurs and drinks distributor originating from Kakegawa City bought Hiraki Brewery in Okayama Prefecture in 1956 and then established their headquarters in Shizuoka City to sell the sake made in their brewery in Okayama Prefecture.
Two years ago, having acquired the license of defunct Dogatsuru Brewery in kakegawa City they started their second brewery called Shizuoka-Hiraki Brewery/静岡平喜酒造. When interviewed the Association of Sake Brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture assured me that they would only market sake made in Shizuoka City inside Shizuoka Prefecture. Unfortunately it was completely untrue! Moreover their representatives or master brewers never appear at events featuring their brand!

“Fukki/富貴” of the eponymous brerwey is from Shizuoka Prefecture but they produced pure sake alcohol to be blended with jumai sake in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City. They were an official member of the Association of Shizuoka sake Brewers until two years ago. They haven7t been mentioned there since then. I wonder why… actually I know!

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観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Stone Lanterns at Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City!

October 2, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Yesterday, having some time on hand, I paid a visit to the Sengen Shrine, the largest Shinto Shrine in Shizuoka Ciy.
I had planned to take some pictures of dragons, but to my disappointment they were too few and unintereting.

On the other hand I discovered many traditional Japanese stone lanterns.
They are called tourou/灯籠 in Japanese.
They have been there since immemorial times though candles have been replaced by electric devices nside.

With all the tress, shrubs and hedges around it is easy to create some unexpected pictures!

These lanterns are either geometrically placed in front of smaller shrines or in rows along the many paths crisscrossing the very wide shrine properties.

At night you would certainly need the lanterns to find your way up the stairs to that very dark shrine!
Actually shrines are all either deep red or charcoal black, colors which would both make them invisble at night!

Interestingly enough the small wooden board notice warns to beware of the danger of the lantern! In day time? Unless you want to push it down in spite of its very heavy weight! Or maybe to warn drunk people during the New Year festivities?

Taken at an angle you can see the lanterns in a staggered manner!

Another graphic possibility!

Some of these lanterns are so old they have become a virtual garden!

They almost seem to march around a bend!

Some are almost hidden under the trees of the many gardens and small parks.

As far as I know there are only two types.

There were only a few of those roundish squat types, probably the older kind.

Thanks to the lichen patterns you could say they were all different!

Now, what’s that?

A bird’s nest, probably that of swallows!
It had been left undisturbed in spite of being presently vacant. After all such nests are considered as lucky in Japan, so cleaners see no need to take them away!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡市, 駅弁, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Edo Era Travelers in Shizuoka City (Sumpu)!

September 18, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The City of Shizuoka (as of the Prefecture) was always called so, but until the end of the beginning of the modern era it was called Sumpu/駿府.
The city grew in importance when the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa/徳川家康 decided to retire there in the beginning of the 17th Century.
There used to be a castle called Sumpu Jyou/駿府城 but the later Shogun ordered it to be burnt.
In recent years a two-third size copy has been (and is still) built as faithfully as possible.
This makes for a very interesting venue as it includes parks, a museum and an event space.

Now, if you walk along the moat behind Shizuoka University Junior School you will espy some people sitting on a bench just beyond a traditional lantern tower!

Can you see them?

They are not people but statues!

Bronze Statue of Yaji-Kita
弥次喜多銅像

Actually it is a modern statue of two main characters of “Tokaidochu Hiza-kuri-ge (Travels on Foot on the Tokaido),”
Yaji (left) and Kita (right), a story/play written 200 years ago by Jippensha Ikku!
An ideal spot to take pictures of the past as the statues faithfully represent two people of the Edo Era, a time when travelers walked all the way from Yedo/Tokyo to Sumpu (174 km)!

Yaji!

Note that the garb is taht of typical travelers of the time.

the gentle face of a grand old man!

Kita!

Obviously the face of a younger and more exhuberant companion!

The “chonmage/丁髷/hair knot” in fashion then!

In that time men used to shave their pate unless they were practically becoming bald! LOL

Everyday necessities were carried in small boxes.

Tobacco box and pipe.
Note the footwear!

Sandal and calf wear.

The moat and pavement.

Will report on Sumpu Castle next time!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
The Wine Wankers by Stuart in Australia!
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Coming Festival: Shimada Obi Matsuri (October 12th, 13th, 14th, 2013)

September 15, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Shimada Obi Matsuri Statue at Oi Shrine in Shimada City!

Every city worth its salt in Japan has a major festival to boast from.
Shimada City not only has one, but it has been officially named one of the so-called three most unusual festivals in Japan!: the Shimada Obi Matsuri and its Daimyo Procession.

This is a major festival in japan!

Not only it is a major festival but although this year will see its 107th edition, it is staged only every 3 years!
So do not miss it! It was held for the first time in 1609.
Some incredible pictures to be taken!

The poster in front of Shimada JR Station!

The procession will take place in the north half of the city, so do get off the Station from the North Exit!

The 300-year old Daimyo Gyoretsu imitates the procession of a grand jumangoku (one hundred thousand koku, units of rice) daimyo, and a total of 250 marchers stretch over 500 meters. Particularly striking is the presence of oyakko who walk gracefully, carrying an obi for safe delivery of babies on the tip of a wooden sword.
The procession is held every three years, in the years of the tiger, snake, monkey and wild boar.

Here are samples of pictures you could take on that day!

SHIMADA TAISAI WEBSITE

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Events, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Mage Festival, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Coming Festival: Mage Matsuri-髷祭 in Shimada City (September 15th, 2013)!

September 13, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

if you have the chance to be in Shimada City this Sunday do not miss this unusual Festival!
It is called the Shimada mage Festival!
Mage means “Hair bending” ( a poor English translation I must admit!), that is the tradtiional way to set hair in Japan!

Even little girls participate!

This very peculiar festival is held on the third Sunday, shine or rain, of September every year.
This year will the 56th edition!

It was first held on September 9th, 1933!
Some ladies wear wigs, but most participants spend the morning setting their at a local “hairdresser”!
Yo will be able to admire them between roughly 13:00 and 16:00 at Oi Shrine (大井神社), in front of Shimada Hospital and Udaji Temple (鵜田寺).

For more (very interesting pictures) consult the following BLOG!

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Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Hungry Goblin!

September 13, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

What is that goblin ogling at for the top of a roof with a sake flask in his hand?

A big fat green worm!

Oumuraya Brewery poster at Shimada JR Station.

If you want to take your own picture, go down at Shimada City Station, take the north exit.
Oumuraya Brewery is only 10 minutes away by foot!

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Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

笑い, 観光, Food Humor, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Weird Japan (35): Killing With A Smile?

September 8, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Another picture for Quizoxy!

Japan is the safest country in the world, but it also produces the best knives and swords in the world, too!
Advertising such a business with a smiling (with a vampire tooth jutting out) manga girl is both novel and disquieting! LOL

It is actually the sign of the oldest knives and cutlery shop in Shizuoka City!

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Culture, 美術, 静岡市, 静岡市美術館, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka City Museum of Art, Tourism, 博物館

Japanese Art: Symbiosis: Dissolving My Self Like a Mushroom Exhibition by Hajime Imamura at the Shizuoka City Museum of Art (Until October 27th)

September 3, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

The Shizuoka City Musuem of Art which has been in existence for about 5 years under the auspices of the Shizuoka City Government began some time ago to use their vast lobby room as a free exhibition space for the pleasure of all comers. Since you can also enjoy the same space for shopping and lounging in a cafe it makes for a perfect venue on a rainy day or on a sweltering summer day!
This is the 3rd exhibition of the kind which will last until October 17th.

Hajime Imamura/今村源さん was born in Osaka City in 1957 and presently works in Kyoto City in the Kansai region where he has acquired fame and recognition.
He started to actively exhibit in 2006 and is supported by Shiseido Company as well as Gallery Nomart in Osaka City.
His art is resolutely modern and tends to blend in everyday apparels with nature (at least recently!)

This particular exhibition is titled: Dissolving My Self Like a Mushroom. For those who can read Japanese they will find a pun in the same title: “わた死としてのキノコ”!
And you will find mushrooms everywhere! But the concept is more about hidden life represented by long aluminum “threads” depicting the underground mycelium filaments whose life and role will appear in the shape of so-called mushrooms we see popping out all year round in their natural environment!

Served directly on a dining table? (2003)

It will actually oscillate if you blow on it!

Mycelium and a mushroom reflected on a mirror…… (2013)

Actually it might be a goof idea to browse (or buy) all kinds of books on mushrooms and mushroom design at the Museum shop!

Can you see the mushrooms inside the hollow head?
“Inside Mushrooms” (2010)

Now, it is wide open to interpretation!

Mycelium in shape of a human blody! (2010)

Have you ever realized that our bodies are full of it? Actually would not be possible on earth without it!

Other works of Hajime Imamura are also featured, some with mycelium like this sofa, some without it.

Upside down life?

A squashed flat chair?

“Fridge and kettle” (2003)

Yes, this is a mobile!

And another one!

Where do those stairs lead to? (199)

To a slide of course (1998)!

incidentally the artist and a mycology (science of mycelium and mushrooms) will be hold a talk (free entrance) inside the lobby conference space (50 seats) on mushrooms and art on September 21st ((Saturday) from 14:00 to 16:00!

SHIZUOKA CITY MUSEUM of ART
静岡市美術館

420-0852 Shizuoka Cuty, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 17-1, Aoi Tower. 3F (across from shizuoka JR Station North Exit)
Tel.: 054-273-1515
Opening hours: 10:00~19:00 (Shop & Cafe included)
Public Exhibition Space free. Designated exhibitions fee varying.
Closed on Mondays (or on Tuesdays if Monday is a national Holidays. Also closed on friday September 13th)
HOMEPAGE (English only for the moment)

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BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

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観光, Heda, Japan, Japanese Culture, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Mount Fuji Photographs from Heda in Izu Peninsula (Autumn/Fall)

August 30, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

With fall/Autumn coming soon we shall be able to admire Mount Fuji from a long distance again as the skies will gradually clear up.
There are many spots where you can enjoy great views of the most famous mountain in Japan, but I have a special weakness for one very precise spot!

Heda, now merged with Numazu City, is a harbor tucked away inside an almost closed cove, the epitome of what Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture has best to offer to any tourist, be he/she Japanese or from more distant shores!
-A resort off the beaten tracks.
-A spa renowned for its thermal hot springs.
-A major fishing harbor part of Numazu City, one of the main providers of seafood to Tokyo.
-Arguably one of the best spots to admire Mount Fuji in the whole of Japan!
-A gastronomic venture with its deep-sea fish and marine life including the largest crab in the world, Takaashigani/高足蟹/Japanese Spider Crab!
-History: It was visited in 1854 by the Russian frigate Diana of the Imperial Russian Navy, the flagship of the Russian explorer Yevfimy Putyatin when it was damaged in a tsunami, following the powerful Ansei-Tōkai earthquake of 23 December 1854. The Diana sank while sailing from Shimoda to Heda for repairs!

First of all, Heda is a paradise for photographers, amateur and professional alike, who can take innumerable shots of Mount Fuji from various view spots all year round as the sacred mountain is changing its robes daily!
In Autumn, one may sight Mount Fuji as a dark and mysterious figure shrouded in mists looming beyond the sea.

Sometimes it does look as surging out blue expanses!

At dusk it will be blurred out of the sky by magnificent sunsets irreverently crossed by returning squid fishing boats!

This last picture was taken from the beach!
Look foward to more pictures this year. Winter promises some beauties!

Do visit the following for mre fantastic view pictuers and precise access!
HEDA TOURISM ASSOCIATION & BUREAU
410-3402 Shizuoka Prefecture, Numazu City, Heda, 289-12
Tel.: 0558-94-3115
HOMEPAGE (English)

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美食, Drink blogs, Drinks, Food, Food and Drink Blogs, Food Blogs, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japan drink Blogs, Japan Food Blogs, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Tourism

Food & Drinks Bloggers in Japan (amended August 2013)

August 17, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The number of foreigners and Japanese nationals who write about the food and drinks in Japan in English (or at least answer comments in English) has remarkably increased lately.
I thought it was about time to start some kind of round-up to help people discover these deserving foodies and their blogs!The list below is far from exhaustive, but I’m planning to update and announce it regularly!
Of course if you know more foodies residing in Japan, do please direct them to me and I will introduce them gladly!

HOKKAIDO TRIBE
(Hokkaido Island)
Meishu no Yutaka by Carlin
The Best of Sapporo by Ben!

TOHOKU TRIBE
(Northeastern Japan: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima)
Cooking with Mama Miyuki in Sendai

KANTO TRIBE
(Eastern Japan: Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa)
Japan-Hub.Com
About Food In Japan
Japan Eat’s Videos
Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton
Watch Japan in Tokyo
Little Japan Mama in Tokyo
Japan Eats (featured on request)
47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities By Sara and Roshni in Tokyo
Eating Out in Tokyo with Dominic
Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass by Melinda Joe in Tokyo
Tokyo Foodcast by Etsuko Nakamura in Tokyo
Tokyo Food Page
Sake World by John Gauntner in Tokyo: The inernational Reference for Japanese Sake!
Tokyo Terrace by Rachael in Tokyo
Gaijin Tonic in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture
Nonjatta by Chris Bunting in Tokyo
The Soul Of Japan in Kanagawa Prefecture
Sake, kimono and Tabi In Tokyo
Tokyo Kawai, Etc… in Tokyo
Blue Lotus in Tokyo
The Japanese Food Report by Harris Salat in Tokyo
The Sake Chronicles in Tokyo
Watashi to Tokyo by Mari Kanazawa in Tokyo
Japanese Food-Food Lover’s Guide by Yukari Yamamoto in Tokyo
Gaijin Life by a Canadian gentleman in Tokyo (in Japanese)
Leo’s Japan Food Blog in Tokyo
Eating Out In Tokyo With Jon
Fugu Tabetai in Tokyo
Japan Style in Tokyo
COCO’s Oriental Kitchen by angela Cooper in Tokyo
Free Online Japanese Food Recipes in Tokyo
Reminiscence in Tokyo
Cooking Japanese Style By Naoko, in Tokyo
Japan Farmers Market in Tokyo by Joan
Ramen By Shoe
Rameniac
In Praise of Izakaya
Onsen Addict

CHUBU TRIBE
(Central Japan: Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi)
Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonbayashi in Shizuoka City!
Damonde Life by Matt Ryan in Hamamatsu & Enshu, shizuoka Prefecture
Mangantayon in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Gourmet, Shizuoka Sake, Shizuoka Sushi, Shizuoka Shochu in Shizuoka Prefecture
Bryan Baird’s Beer & Brewery in Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture
A Modern Girl from Niigata and all over Japan!

KANSAI TRIBE
(Western Japan: Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Kyoto, Wakayama)
Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
Yellin Yakimono Gallery by Robert Yellin in Shizuoka Prefecture, just moved to Kyoto!
Colorfood Daidokoro in Osaka (English & French)
Nagaijin in Osaka
Kyoto Foodie in Kyoto
Our Adventures in Japan by K and S Minoo in Osaka
Japan Food Addict by Mai in Kyoto
Kyoto Food Page
Osaka/Kobe Food Page

CHUGOKU
(“Central Country”: Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi)
“Made in Matsue” in Shimane prefecture
Get Hiroshima Blog in Hiroshima
The Wide Island Review, The JET Programme Webzine Of Hiroshima Prefecture (includes food & drink articles)

SHIKOKU
(Shikoku Island: Kagawa, Kochi, Ehime, Tokushima)
Obachan’s Kitchen & Garden Balcony in Kochi Prefecture
Still Clumsy With Chopsticks in Kochi Prfecture (Continuation of Obachan’s Kitchen & Garden Balcony)
Rocking in Hakata by Deas Richardson

KYUSHU
(Kyushu Island: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Saga, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima)
Finding Fukuoka
Food from Fukuoka, Kyushu and Japan by Fumiko Soda
Fukuoka Sake Guide by Daisuke Ito
Quixotidienne in Kagoshima Prefecture
Christine Molero in Kyushu & elsewhere
Alishan on the Move in Fukuoka

OKINAWA
(Okinawa Archipelago)
HWN Pake in Okinawa in Chatan, Okinawa
I’m sorry to say that Nate has just passed away and that his blog has disappeared, but I’ll keep it there as it is in his memory!
Dojo Bar in Naha
Eating Okinawa
Okinawa Hai!
Total Okinawa

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食 Drink Blogs in Japan 静岡 Food and Drink Blogs in Japan Foof blogs in Japan Gastronomes Gastronomy Gourmet Japan Japanese Cuisine Japanese Gastronomy Tourism World Cuisines

Shizuoka, Humor, 笑い, Tourism, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture

Weird Japan (33): Yield Someone Or Yield To Someone?

August 5, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

When the omission of a single word can lead to confusion!

I found this sign posted on the window of a local train in the west of Shizuoka Prefecture!
To think that so many English-speaking people are available….

For your information the sign reads:
“Please yield those who need this seat”

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Justlovefoodleith
BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japan Humor Tourism Weird japan

Humor, 笑い, Tourism, 観光, Japan, Kyoto, Japanese Culture

Weird Japan (32) Petanque on the Kamogawa River Bank in Kyoto!

May 9, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Now, what game are they playing?

No, you are not in Southern France or even New Caledonia if you prefer a nearer destination!
You are on the bank of the famed River Kamogawa in Kyoto!

The Japanese, especially senior citizens have the knack to adapt traditional French and other countries’ games such as croquet into “gate ball”.
But I couldn’t hide my admiration when I espied those happy senior citizens spending their weekday afternoon playing petanque exactly like they back home in France!
And they were really skillful at it, especially the grand ladies who would put many a French matron to shame!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japan Kyoto Tourism Weird japan Petanque

Humor, 笑い, Tourism, 観光, Japan, Kyoto, Japanese Culture

Weird Japan (31) Pain Clinic!?

May 9, 2013 dragonlife 5 Comments

Just came back from a short stay in Kyoto where among the usual great settings i found a few interesting hidden sights!
Have you ever heard of a “pain clinic”?

You will discover it on Karasumaru Street.
Dragon, my worst half, explained to me that the establishment meant they are a general practice hospital covering all sicknesses, hence the mention of “pain”!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japan Humor Kyoto Tourism Weird japan Hospitals

レシピ, 美食, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Eating on the cheap in Japan: Maccaroni in Shizuoka Railway Station!

April 4, 2013 dragonlife 6 Comments

Returning from a short business trip to France last Tuesday it struck me that life had become more expensive in my home country than in Japan!
This was more acutely felt when I walked past some restaurants inside (big) Shizuoka Railway Station, especially when their food is regularly shown outside with very fine plastic models often offering a more trustful image than pictures on menus!

I thought it might be a good idea to talk about the cheaper but still good food available in this country and Shizuoka. I will try and show you a few examples in the days to come. After all not anyone can afford great sushi everyday!
The place I’m introducing today is called Maccaroni with 2 “C’s” and is an “Italian” restaurant cum cafe.
It is very easy to find in one of the alleys in Asty building leading to the entrances to the tracks.
As for prices count 120 yen per Euro or 94 yen to the dollar (that might change a little in the future as the Euro is falling down!)

A pint of beer costs between 390 and 490 yen and (small) glasses of wine for 290 yen!

Mozzarella cheese, Basil and tomato sauce spaghetti for 790 yen and Bolognese style spaghetti in stewed sauce for 840 yen.
All prices are tax included.

About 20cm wide pizzas:
Margherita for 940 yen and Chorizo and meat sauce for 990 yen.

Oven-baked casserole of escargots and mushrooms in garlic and basil sauce for 820 yen, large oven-baked cheese-stuffed eggplant for 720 yen and and Italian raw ham with Grissini for 790 yen.

Antipasti misto salad. seafood spaghetti and soft drink for 1290 yen.

Tomato, mozzarella cheese Caprese salad for 720 yen and and fresh fish carpaccio for 620 yen. Now, that is cheap even in Japan!

For the beer lovers:
Fish and chips for 720 yen, seafood fritters for 620 yen, fried potato and onion rings for 720 yen.

Coming soon with another place in the same area soon!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ Cheap food Cheap meals 美食静岡 Food Gastronomes Gastronomy Gourmet Japan Japanese Cuisine Japanese Gastronomy Shizuoka Shizuoka City Tourism World Cuisines

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